Senate's Post-Nuclear Option Holocaust Dinner: Rack of Lamb Anyone?

Michelle Obama's Mirror ^ | 11-23-2013 | MOTUS

[NOBO2012]

“...I am slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as brakes on my desires....” F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Senate Rule XXII has “guided and protected the chamber since 1789.” It was last revised in 1975 following a rancorous debate that lasted months, not minutes, to require three-fifths of the entire Senate, or 60 votes, to end a filibuster.

Oh sure, there has been some noisy posturing from both sides of the aisle from time to time about changing this. Butt until last week nobody was brave, or stupid enough, to actually launch the nuclear option. Primarily because, as Mark Levin explained, nuclear wars, once launched, generally result in mutual annihilation.

So that just goes to show you how ticked off Harry was by the tyranny of the minority that has been getting in his way. His sense of outrage forced him to employ the tyranny of the majority (aka “the nuclear option”) to break a few eggs in order to change the rules.

Because sometimes, getting what you want right now is more important that ensuring the long term integrity of the game.

We Can’t Wait! We Can’t Wait! To Sink the Ship of State!

So, without benefit of any debate, let alone a filibuster, Harry detonated the nuclear bomb (explained here) and changed the rules to require only a simple majority to end a filibuster from this point forward. The rule applies – for now - only to judicial and executive appointments; butt I assure you that’s not going to be “the final solution.”

With the exception of Big Guy, everyone from Dana Milbank:

If Congress wasn’t broken before, it certainly is now.

to Mark Levin has weighed in with scathing reviews. Even old Dem Senator Carl Levin scolded:

“We need to change the rules, but to change it in the way we changed it today means there are no rules except as the majority wants them,” Levin said. “This precedent is going to be used, I fear, to change the rules on consideration of legislation, and down the road — we don’t know how far down the road; we never know that in a democracy — but, down the road, the hard-won protections and benefits for our people’s health and welfare will be lost.”

Yikes! When a lifelong Democratic hangdog like Carl agrees - in any way - with Mark Levin we may have ourselves a bit of a problem…butt that would be down the road a piece. No worries today!

Not surprisingly, Big Guy is completely on board with Harry and his flock in the Senate.

Because Big Guy thinks the tyranny of the minority (the big “R” in “republic”) always trample on the rights of the tyranny of the majority (the little “d” in democracy). That’s why Big Guy is always for the little guy, see? It’s all about social justice…or something.

Democracy v. Republic

So I guess if you’re more interested in a country run by the rule of law instead of a mob, you may have to elect someone other than a little “d” a wolf next time.

Either that or get yourself one of those well-armed lambs.

Today’s post was brought to you by the Great Gatsby collection of fine tailored suits and exquisite stemware:

“...I am slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as breaks to what transpires....”

Posted from: Michelle Obama’s Mirror

[deport]

Bill Frist and the Republicans considered making this change back in 2005 but
didn’t. They were trying to get President Bush’s nominees approved.

https://www.google.com/#q=2005+bill+frist+explores+nuclear+option

Originally both the House and Senate had unlimited debate. The House later implemented
limited debate as the number of members grew.

In 1917 the Senate adopted Rule 22 limiting debate with the consent of 67 members. In
1975 that was changed to the consent of 60 members. Now the number is a majority
for some items and the 60 remains for other items.

Standing Rules of the Senate:

http://www.rules.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=RulesOfSenateHome

[skinkinthegrass]

.

[fella]

A Republic If You Can Keep It An essay by Kelleigh Nelson from August 6, 2013 this is an excerpt;

"H. L. Mencken (born 1880 - died 1956) was a journalist, satirist, critic, and Democrat. He wrote this editorial while working for the Baltimore Evening Sun, which appeared in the July 26, 1920, edition: "As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron." —H. L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920

Ben Franklin was right when he stated, "We've given you a Republic, if you can keep it." We haven't kept it, and the total destruction is almost complete. Every day our state and federal governments pass more egregious and abusive laws negating our God given freedoms and the Bill of Rights. The speed at which our Constitution is being destroyed is impossible to keep up with, much less trying to urge fellow citizens to stand up against this travesty."

She goes on to make some very good points about among other thing the Tea Party.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Meanwhile, we have a spineless, gutless Congress who do nothing to stop this tyranny.

http://savingtherepublic.com/blog/2013/11/kelly-file-senate-power-grab-opens-door-death-panel-appointments/

Could you and/or your family face a Liberal Death Panel utilizing DeathCare databases headed by unappointed, unrestricted, radical thugs?

[onyx]

Thanks very much, y’all. I don’t want to be the doom and gloomer, but the facts are staring us in the face, that we are witnessing the takeover of our Republic without a shot fired.

Like Rush said, “There is no ‘rule of law’.” There is, however the rule of tyrants.

Holder remains in office. Obama can pack the Federal courts.

If we had an honest and vibrant press, some might dare to say that a Marxist coup is well underway.

[RedMDer]

I couldn’t agree more.

[RedMDer]

LESS THAN $7.9k TO GO!!!
Git'er Done!
Thank you!

[Windflier]

If we had an honest and vibrant press, some might dare to say that a Marxist coup is well underway.

They are going to force the exodus of the red states before this is all over. I don't see how we get to 2016 without Articles of Secession being filed in one or more state houses.

[onyx]

Well then, I know what I want for Christmas and it’s not a “squirt” gun.

[Mike Darancette]

Now the number is a majority for some items and the 60 remains for other items.

Why limited for other items? Reid could just as easily use a simple majority on other items as well, and I hope he does. The new GOP Senate has lots of things to overturn come January 2015.

[deport]

It was supposedly for executive and judicial nominees only and not for Legislation
or Supreme Court nominees. We’ll see what changes may come down the road.

[Mike Darancette]

We’ll see what changes may come down the road.

Now that Reid has carved out that little slice of power how long until he wants more?

[Windflier]

Well then, I know what I want for Christmas and it’s not a “squirt” gun.

You and me both.

[txhurl]

Perry and Abbott have been real quiet lately.... I feel like somethings are going down before Christmas.

[Windflier]

Perry and Abbott have been real quiet lately.... I feel like somethings are going down before Christmas.

I agree that they've been eerily quiet amongst all the latest noise. Why, I do not know. There's an election for Governor coming, which might have something to do with it. Maybe they don't want to rattle the status quo or tender feelings of voters before the vote.

Dunno, but if there were ever a time for the political leaders of Texas to be making lots of noise, this is it. Why are they silent?

[txhurl]

My gut says planning a de-coup. I know a SF guy, saw him the other day, didn’t really have time to chat, but he’s very grim.

[Windflier]

My gut says planning a de-coup.

"De-coup"? Is that a reversal of a coup d'etat?

[txhurl]

Hopefully.

[Windflier]

Hopefully.

That'd be alright with me. I'd fully support Articles of Secession at this point. The federal government and the Constitution have effectively been overthrown. Time to go.